Occupational Therapist - Advanced, Autism Diagnostic Pathway

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust; Catford; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust is recruiting a Band 7 Speech and Language Therapist to join the Children’s Autism Diagnostic Pathway in Catford. You will assess, diagnose autism and complex communication needs within a multidisciplinary team and help develop care pathways and clinical protocols.

You will lead on specialist training, provide supervision, and advocate for inclusive communication practices while supporting NICE-guideline-aligned pathways and service delivery improvements.

Qualifications

• Significant experience working with children with autism and complex communication needs.
• Warm, empathetic, clinically confident, inclusive and equity-minded practicing SLT.

Responsibilities

• Apply advanced clinical knowledge to assess, diagnose autism and complex communication needs.
• Lead on care pathway development and clinical protocols.
• Deliver specialist training and supervision to colleagues and students.
• Champion neuro-affirming, inclusive communication practices.
• Provide supervision and contribute to differential diagnosis within MDT.

Job description

We are excited to offer a newly created Band 7 post within our Children’s Autism Diagnostic Pathway.

Working Within The Multidisciplinary Team To

• Apply advanced clinical knowledge to assess, diagnose autism and complex communication needs
• Lead on care pathway development and clinical protocols
• Deliver specialist training and supervision to colleagues and students
• Champion neuro – affirming, inclusive communication practices

We are embarking on major redesign of our neurodevelopmental pathways to reduce waiting times and improve patient experiences. You’ll be instrumental in shaping service delivery, ensuring it is responsive, equitable and aligned with NICE guidance and best practice.

We are seeking a warm, empathetic, clinically confident, inclusive and equity minded speech and language therapist who has significant experience working with children with autism and complex communication needs.

You’ll be part of a supportive team that values your expertise, encourages innovation, and invests in your professional growth. We are committed to supporting your professional growth. As part of this role, you will receive training in autism assessment tools, including ADOS. This will equip you with the skills to contribute confidently to differential diagnosis and multidisciplinary assessment.

This role supports the clinical and operational leadership for the Autism Diagnostic Pathway, working closely with the Autism Clinical Pathway AHP and MDT Lead. The post holder will support the development and implementation of efficient, NICE‑compliant ways of working aligned to best practice and the local ASC core offer, in partnership with medical, nursing and AHP colleagues. They will take a delegated lead in developing care pathways, service protocols and clinical guidelines, and use advanced specialist OT expertise to contribute to differential diagnosis within the MDT. The role involves independent assessment, diagnosis and management of children and young people with social communication needs, providing second opinions where required, and ensuring care is integrated, evidence‑based and population‑responsive. The post holder will also provide supervision and deliver specialist training to support pathway quality and sustainability.

Our People Are Our Greatest Asset. When We Feel Supported And Happy At Work, This Positivity Reaches Those Very People We Are Here For, The Patients. Engaged Employees Perform At Their Best And Our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Initiatives Contribute To Cultivate a Culture Of Engagement. We Have Four Staff Networks, a Corporate EDI Team And a Suite Of Programmes And Events Which Aim To Insert The 5 Aspirations

• Improving representation at senior levels of staff with disabilities, from black, Asian, and ethnic minorities background, identify as LGBTQ+ and women, through improved recruitment and leadership development
• Widening access (anchor institution) and employability
• Improving the experience of staff with disability
• Improving the EDI literacy and confidence of trust staff through training and development
• Making equalities mainstream

For further details / informal visits contact: Name: Rachael Kay Job title: Principal SLT Email address: [e-mail] Telephone number: 020 3 049 1378